System and method for generating an audio file

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a computer implemented system and method for generating an audio output file. The method including using one or more processors to perform steps of: receiving audio tracks, each audio track created according to audio parameters; separating each audio track into at least one selectable audio block, each audio block including audio content from a musical instrument involved in creating the audio track; assigning a unique identifier to each audio block; using the unique identifiers to select audio blocks, and generating the audio output by combining the audio blocks. The present invention prevents the use of the same combination of audio blocks in the generation of audio output to ensure that the audio output files generated a sufficiently unique. Also provided are audio file recording, editing and mixing modules enabling a user to have full creative control over mix and other parameters to modify as desired the audio file generated.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS; BENEFIT CLAIM

This application claims the benefit as a Continuation of applicationSer. No. 14/248,700, filed Apr. 9, 2014 the entire contents of which ishereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein, under 35U.S.C. §120. The applicant(s) hereby rescind any disclaimer of claimscope in the parent application(s) or the prosecution history thereofand advise the USPTO that the claims in this application may be broaderthan any claim in the parent application(s).]

This application claims priority to Irish Patent Application No.S2013/0120 filed Apr. 9, 2013, the entire contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein for all purposes.

The present invention relates to a system and method for generating anaudio output file.

Digital audio workstations (DAWs) have been developed to provide userswith a production environment in which an audio track may be composed,recorded, edited, mixed and then synchronised with target image or videocontent, including films, television shows, commercials, and/or a gamingapplications.

Such DAWs typically provide users with the required manipulation toolsand a library of pre-recorded audio content which users select, edit andcombine as desired to ensure that an audio track produced isaesthetically satisfactory and has the correct timings and length forseamless synchronisation with the target image and video content.

However, the selection of the appropriate pre-recorded audio content forcreating an audio track for a film, a scene in a film, a televisionshow, a commercial and/or a gaming application is extremely timeconsuming, even for the most skilled audio editors, since it is veryunlikely that any single piece of pre-recorded audio content will havethe appropriate timings and marry aesthetically with the image contentwith which it is to be synchronised. Moreover, the use and re-use ofpre-recorded audio content in a DAW environment leaves open thepossibility that audio content produced may not be sufficiently unique.

It is a therefore an object of the present invention to provide a systemand method for generating an audio output file which goes at least someway toward overcoming the above problems and/or which will provide thepublic and/or industry with a useful alternative.

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent form theensuing description which is given by way of example only.

According to the invention, there is provided computer implementedmethod for generating an audio output file, the method including usingone or more processors to perform steps of:

-   -   receiving audio tracks, each audio track created according to        audio parameters;    -   separating each audio track into at least one selectable audio        block, each audio block including audio content from a musical        instrument involved in creating the audio track;    -   assigning a unique identifier to each audio block;    -   using the unique identifiers to select audio blocks, and    -   generating the audio output file by combining the selected audio        blocks.

The present invention provides a method for generating an audio outputfile in a computer implemented development environment. The inventioncreates from pre-existing or pre-recorded audio tracks a library ofaudio content in the form of audio blocks. The stored audio blocks eachcorrespond to an instrument, such as a piano, a drum, a synthesiser andthe like, and are grouped for selection based on audio parameters of theaudio tracks. The audio parameters comprise one or more of: tempo, genreand harmonic map, and define a music genre template map for an audiotrack.

The invention implements a tagging or indexing mechanism to associatewith each audio block a unique identifier, and compares the uniqueidentifiers for the selected audio blocks with records of other previouscombinations of unique identifiers in a storage device to ensure thatthe combination is new so that a unique audio output file is generated.

Preferably, the step of using the unique identifiers to select audioblocks comprises: selecting a combination of audio blocks such that theunique identifiers for the combination of audio blocks selected is notlocated in a record of a storage device indicating that the combinationis allowable.

Preferably, the step of using the unique identifiers to select audioblocks comprises: comparing the unique identifiers of the selected audioblocks with records in a storage device, such that if a record of acombination of the unique identifiers is located then an audio outputfile is not generated, and if a record of the combination of uniqueidentifiers is not located then the selected audio blocks are combinedto generate an audio output file.

In another embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the stepof: storing a record of the combination of unique identifiers for theselected audio blocks of the audio file generated in the storage device.

Preferably, each audio block comprises audio content from a singlemusical instrument.

In another embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the stepof: selecting audio blocks with the same audio parameters for use ingenerating the audio output file, each audio block having audioparameters according to the audio track from which the audio block isseparated. In this way, the audio blocks which are combined and used tocreate an audio file have the same tempo and harmonic map, which ensuresthe harmonic integrity of the audio file generated.

In another embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the stepof: storing the audio blocks in a storage device according to one of:the audio parameters of the audio block and musical instrument.

In this arrangement, audio blocks separated from audio tracks having thesame audio parameters, and therefore have the same music genre templatemap, and which correspond to the same musical instrument, will be storedtogether, such as in a folder, of the storage device. Audio blocksseparated from audio tracks having the same audio parameters, but whichcorrespond to different musical instruments, will be stored separatelyin the storage device. Audio blocks separated from audio tracks havingdifferent audio parameters, and which correspond to different musicalinstruments, will also be stored in separately in the storage device.

In another embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the stepof: selecting audio blocks for the audio output file according to userpreference data including one or more of: music genre, music style andmood data.

Such music genre, music style and mood data defines user preference datawhich is provided as input by a user to user interface means via a menu,such as a drop down menu, an icon based menu or any other suitable meanswhich provides users with the capability to view and select from aplurality of options regarding music genre, style and/or mood data orother user preference as required or as desired.

In another embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the stepof: operating a hold module to retain one or more audio blocks selectedby the audio block selection means and to interchange at least one ofthe audio blocks selected by the audio block selection means with apreviously unselected audio block according to user preference data.

In another embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the stepof: operating a shuffle module to automatically remove from the audiooutput file generated one or more audio blocks selected by the audioblock selection means and to incorporate into the audio output file anaudio block or audio blocks from the storage device having the sameaudio parameters as the removed audio block or audio blocks.

In another embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the stepof: operating an audio editing and mixing module to modify, refine,adjust, vary and/or change audio characteristics of the audio outputfile generated.

In another embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the stepof: operating an audio editing and mixing module to modify, refine,adjust, vary and/or change audio characteristics of an audio block inthe audio output file generated.

In another embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the stepof: operating an audio editing and mixing module to adjust the tempoand/or shift the harmonic map of an audio track.

Such audio file editing means and mixing means provides a user with fullcreative control over mix and other parameters to modify as desired theaudio output file generated and audio blocks used to form the audiooutput file.

In another embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the stepof: importing other instrument performances and/or voice from anexternal source for incorporation into the audio output file.

In another embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the stepof: operating an audio synchronisation module to synchronise the audiooutput file with a video file, a still image file, and/or a text file.

In another embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the stepof: storing each audio output file generated in a storage device forretrieval as an audio track for the generation of additional audiooutput files.

In another embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the stepof: linking a plurality of storage devices to provide an extendedstorage library of audio tracks and audio output files for creatingaudio blocks.

In another embodiment of the invention, the method comprisestransmitting the audio output file generated to a computing deviceaccording to steps of:

-   -   separating the audio blocks of the audio output file into audio        block segments, each audio block segment having a time slot such        that audio block segments from the same audio block have a        different time slot;    -   transmitting audio block segments having same time slot together        such that audio block segments having the same time slot are        received at the computing device at substantially the same time,        and    -   combining at the computing device audio block segments having        the same time slot to form at least a portion of the audio        output file, and    -   combining the audio file portions to form the audio output file        at the computing device.

According to the invention, there is provided a computer implementedsystem for generating an audio output file, the system including one ormore processors and memory including program instructions executable bythe one or more processors to provide:

-   -   means for receiving audio tracks, each audio track created        according to audio parameters;    -   means for separating each audio track into at least one        selectable audio block, each audio block including audio content        from a musical instrument involved in creating the audio track;    -   means for assigning a unique identifier to each audio block;    -   means for selecting audio blocks for the audio output file,    -   means for using the unique identifiers to select audio blocks,        and    -   means for generating the audio output by combining the selected        audio blocks.

Preferably, the means for using the unique identifiers to select audioblocks is configured for selecting a combination of audio blocks suchthat the unique identifiers for the combination of audio blocks is notlocated in a record of a storage device indicating that the combinationis allowable.

Preferably, the means for using the unique identifiers to select audioblocks is configured to compare unique identifiers of a selection ofaudio blocks with records in a storage device, such that if a record ofa combination of the unique identifiers is located then an audio outputfile is not generated, and if a record of the combination of uniqueidentifiers is not located then the selected audio blocks are combinedto generate an audio output file.

In another embodiment of the invention, the system comprises means forrecording the combination of unique identifiers for audio blocks of theaudio file generated in a storage device.

Preferably, each audio block comprises audio content from a singlemusical instrument.

Preferably, audio blocks with the same audio parameters are selected foruse in generating the audio output file, each audio block having audioparameters according to the audio track from which the audio block isseparated.

Preferably, the audio blocks are stored in a storage device according toone of: the audio parameters of the audio block and musical instrument.

Preferably, audio blocks for the audio output file are selectedaccording to user preference data including one or more of: music genre,music style and mood data.

In another embodiment of the invention, the system comprises a holdmodule to retain one or more audio blocks selected by the audio blockselection means and to interchange at least one of the audio blocksselected by the audio block selection means with a previously unselectedaudio block according to user preference data.

In another embodiment of the invention, the system comprises a shufflemodule to automatically remove from the audio output file generated oneor more audio blocks selected by the audio block selection means and toincorporate into the audio output file an audio block or audio blocksfrom the storage device having the same audio parameters as the removedaudio block or audio blocks.

In another embodiment of the invention, the system comprises an audioand mixing editing module operable to modify, refine, adjust, varyand/or change audio characteristics of the audio output file generated.

Preferably, the audio editing and mixing module is operable to modify,refine, adjust, vary and/or change audio characteristics of an audioblock in an audio output file generated.

Preferably, the audio editing and mixing module is operable to adjustthe tempo and/or shift the harmonic map of an audio track.

Such an audio output file editing and module enables a user to have fullcreative control over mix and other parameters to modify as desired theaudio output file generated.

In another embodiment of the invention, the system comprises means forimporting instrument performances and/or voice from an external sourcefor incorporation into the audio output file.

In another embodiment of the invention, the system comprises an audiosynchronisation module to synchronise the audio output file with a videofile, a still image file, and/or a text file.

In another embodiment of the invention, the system comprises means forstoring each audio output file generated in a storage device forretrieval as an audio track for the generation of additional audiooutput files.

In another embodiment of the invention, the system comprises means forlinking a plurality of storage devices to provide an extended storagelibrary of audio tracks and audio output files for creating audioblocks.

In another embodiment of the invention, the system comprises:

-   -   means for separating the audio blocks of the audio output file        into audio block segments, each audio block segment having a        time slot such that audio block segments from the same audio        block each have a different time slot;    -   means for transmitting audio block segments having same time        slot together such that audio block segments having the same        time slot are received at a computing device at substantially        the same time,    -   means for combining at the computing device audio block segments        having the same time slot to form at least a portion of the        audio output file, and    -   means for combining the audio file portions to form the audio        output file at the computing device.

In a still further embodiment of the invention, there is provided anon-transitory machine-readable medium including instructions that, whenexecuted by one or more processors, cause the one or processors toperform the steps according to a method as described.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, there is provided acomputing device and/or arrangement of computing devices having one orprocessors, memory and display means operable to display an interactiveuser interface having the features as described.

In another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a system forgenerating an audio output file substantially as herein described withreference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings and/or examples.

In another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method forgenerating an audio output file substantially as herein described withreference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings and/or examples.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the followingdescription of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only,with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing of a system for generating an audiooutput file according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram showing the initial steps involved in creatingaudio blocks for use in a method for generating an audio file accordingto the invention;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram showing the further steps involved in creatingaudio blocks according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a stylised illustration showing a pre-recorded audio trackseparated by musical instrument according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is a block schematic showing an exemplary file arrangement instorage means for the audio blocks according to the invention;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing the steps performed in a method forgenerating an audio file from audio blocks according to the invention;

FIGS. 7 to 11 are schematics showing the steps performed in selectingaudio blocks for generating audio files according to the invention;

FIGS. 12 to 15 are screenshots of a user interface means according tothe invention;

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing the present invention integrated witha back-end accounting application;

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing the present invention integrated witha computing software application for building a gaming applicationproduct;

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the present invention integrated as aplug-in or add-on for a digital audio workstation;

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing the present invention integrated witha social network site,

FIGS. 20a to 20c are block schematics showing steps in a method ofdownloading an audio file generated according to the invention.

Referring to the drawings, and initially to FIG. 1, there is shown asystem, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1, for generatingan audio output file, which is understood to be a file containingsequenced audio data which produces an audio output when processed byaudio player means. The audio file may be in an audio file format,including, but not limited to, audio WAV format, MP3 format, advancedaudio coding (AAC) format, Ogg format or in any other format, analog,digital or otherwise, as required. The desired audio format mayoptionally be specified by a user. The system 1 is implemented by one ormore computer processors 2 and memory 3 including computer softwareprogram instructions executable by the one or more processors 2. Thecomputer processors 2 may be provided by a computer server or network ofconnected and/or distributed computers.

The program instructions executable by the one or more processorsprovide means 4 for receiving audio tracks, in which each audio track iscreated according to audio parameters, such as tempo, genre and harmonicmap. The audio parameters for the audio tracks define a music genretemplate map which may be distributed to individual human musiccomposers who may author musical or other sound works based on the musicgenre template map, which form audio tracks for the system 1. Such audiotracks may be pre-recorded audio tracks, or be dynamically imported froman external source.

Also shown in FIG. 1 are means 16 for separating each audio track intoat least one selectable audio block, each audio block including audiocontent from at least one musical instrument involved in creating theaudio track, the means 16 further operable for assigning a uniqueidentifier to each audio block, and means 12 for selecting audio blocksfor the audio output file based on user preference data, such as musicgenre, style and/or mood data, received via the user interface means 11of the system 1. User interface means 11 may be provided on usercomputing devices 20 executing application software enabling a user tocreate audio output files according to the present invention, such usercomputing devices 20 coupled via a network to the system 1.

The system 1 further comprises means 14 for comparing the uniqueidentifiers of the selected audio blocks with records in a storagedevice 9, and means 3 for generating an audio output file by combiningthe selected audio blocks if a record of the combination of uniqueidentifiers is not located in the storage device 9. Also provided aremeans 50 for recording the combination of unique identifiers for audioblocks of the audio output file generated in the storage device 9.

Also shown in FIG. 1 is a holding module 51 which is operable to retainone or more audio blocks selected by the audio block selection means andto interchange at least one of the audio blocks selected by the audioblock selection means 12 with a previously unselected audio blockaccording to user preference data. A shuffle module 52 is also providedto automatically remove from the audio output file generated one or moreaudio blocks selected by the audio block selection means 12 and toincorporate into the audio output file an audio block or audio blocksfrom the storage device 9 having the same audio parameters as theremoved audio block or audio blocks.

The system 1 further comprises an audio mixing and editing module 53which is operable to modify, refine, adjust, vary and/or change audiocharacteristics of the audio output file generated, the audiocharacteristics of a specific audio block in an audio output file, andalso an audio track by adjusting the tempo and/or shifting the harmonicmap of the audio track. Also shown, are means 54 for importinginstrument performances and/or voice from an external source forincorporation into the audio output file.

An audio synchronisation module 55 is operable to synchronise the audiooutput file generated with a video file, a still image file, and/or atext file. Such synchronisation means 15 is further operable to enableusers to mark events in a film or video clip with the use of a time lineand to then deliver musical stingers relative to the key of the audiofile generated.

For example, a user may prepare one or more audio files for use asmusical stinger or swell and tag the audio file by a musical key, suchas ‘A’ minor or any other key as desired. Then, when a film event needsaudio content, for example, eighteen seconds into the film, a marker iscreated on the eighteen second point of the time line. Thesynchronisation means is then operable to analyse the harmonic map audiocontent of the film at eighteen seconds. Thus, for example, if thesynchronisation means detects that the audio content for the film ispassing through the ‘A’ minor key at this point of the time line itretrieves from the library of audio files generated a stinger hit orswell relevant to the key of ‘A’ minor and places the stinger audio fileat the eighteen seconds point of the time line. The audio file may bedragged along the film time line manually as required to makeadjustments to its placement if necessary.

The storage means further comprises or is in the form of an audiostorage library operable to store for retrieval the generated audiofiles as pre-recorded audio tracks. Audio editing means is operable toenable stored pre-recorded audio track to be edited by tempo adjustmentand/or harmonic map shifting. The audio separating means is furtheroperable for separating retrieved pre-recorded audio tracks into audioblocks which are made available for use in generating further audiofiles.

Such an arrangement provides back catalogs of audio files in the form ofan interactive music content library. This is made possible by composersapplying a musical template to existing musical tracks provided bypreviously generated audio files and adapting key influences to eachpart, stem, or instrument performance of that audio file. The keyinfluences include adjusting of the tempo of the music and the moving ofthe harmonic mapping of the said audio file to the harmonic map dictatedby the templates provided. Furthermore, linking music libraries enablescontent to be interactively adapted so that multiple new audio blocksmay be generated by joining and pooling the interactive content of thoselibraries to create one mass universal pool of shared content.

Each audio output file generated is stored in the storage device 9 forretrieval as an audio track for the generation of additional audiooutput files. A plurality of storage devices 9 may be linked to providean extended storage library of audio tracks and audio output files forcreating audio blocks.

Once an audio output file has been generated, and/or a combined audioimage multimedia file resulting from synchronisation of the audio outputfile with a video file, a still image file, and/or a text file, it isthen able to be transmitted or downloaded to a user computing device 20for subsequent editing and/or use. Such an audio output file and/orcombined audio image multimedia file may be transmitted as a singlecomplete file.

In an alternative transmission process an audio output file may betransmitted as file portions. To enable such a transmission processthere is provided means 56 for separating the audio blocks of the audiooutput file into audio block segments, each audio block segment having atime slot such that audio block segments from the same audio block eachhave a different time slot, means 57 for transmitting audio blocksegments having same time slot together such that audio block segmentshaving the same time slot are received at a computing device 20 atsubstantially the same time, and means 58 for combining at the computingdevice 20 audio block segments having the same time slot to form atleast a portion of the audio output file and then combining the audiofile portions to form the audio output file at the computing device 20.

FIGS. 2 to 11 show the steps in a computer implemented method forgenerating an audio output file according to the invention. It will beunderstood that FIGS. 2 to 11 are provided by way of example only todemonstrate the steps performed according to the present invention, andreference to the specific example in FIGS. 2 to 11 should therefore inno way be seen as limiting on the invention.

Shown in FIG. 2 are four music genre template maps 6, each correspondingto the music genre fantasy. These four music genre template maps 6 aresent to human composers or musicians who obey the audio parameters laidout by the template map and compose one or more unique musical or soundcompositions, which may be single or multiple instrument performances,to thereby create pre-recorded audio tracks 5 sent to and received byreceiving means of the system 1. An audio track 5 is thus an audiocontent file, which may be a music or sound file in an appropriateformat.

In the example shown, the music genre template map 6, identified asFANTASY GENRE MIDI FILE TEMPLATE MAP 4, has been sent to five composers7. Each composer has produced a pre-recorded audio track 5, referred toas a 1^(st) GENERATION MUSIC CUE, according to the audio parameters,which include, but are not limited to, tempo, genre and harmonic map, inthe music genre template map 6. The various other music genre templatemaps 6, that is FANTASY GENRE MIDI FILE TEMPLATE MAPs 1 to 3, are alsosent to the same or other composers or musicians for the composition offurther audio tracks.

As shown in FIG. 3, each audio track 5 is separated into one or moreaudio blocks 8, each audio block corresponding to a musical instrumentinvolved in creating the pre-recorded audio track 5.

FIG. 4 shows a pre-recorded audio track 5 separated by musicalinstrument performance. In the instance shown, audio track 5 isseparated into six audio blocks 8 a to 8 f, the audio block 8 a beingthe piano part of the audio track 5, audio block 8 b the drums part ofthe audio track 5, 8 c the guitar part of the audio track 5, 8 d theaccordion part of the audio track 5, 8 e the trumpet part of the audiotrack 5 and 8 f the violin part of the audio track 5. The combination ofindividual audio blocks 8 therefore make up an audio track 5 for thesystem 1, and no two audio tracks 5 will have the same audio blocks 8 asthey will have been uniquely composed and recorded for transmission tothe system 1 in an audio file format by different composers ormusicians.

The audio blocks 8 are stored in a storage means 9 of the system 1. Thestorage means 9 may be a local storage device, or a remote storagedevice, such as “cloud” based storage memory and access system. FIG. 5is an exemplary file arrangement in storage means 9 for the audio blocks8, which in the instance shown, are stored according to the audioparameters and by musical instrument corresponding to the audio block 8.FIG. 5 shows a file arrangement in the form of folder 9 a of the storagemeans 9 containing all the audio blocks 8 corresponding to a singletemplate map. In single template map folder 9 a the audio blocks 8 arefurther categorised by specific instrument. For example, folder 9 acontains all audio blocks 8 for a specific music genre template map 6,such as FANTASY GENRE MIDI FILE TEMPLATE MAP 4, and within folder 9 a isa folder 10 a of all drum parts from all pre-recorded audio tracks 5which belong to FANTASY GENRE MIDI FILE TEMPLATE MAP 4. The audio blocks8 in the folder 9 a will thus be interchangeable and compatible withoutlimitation since they are derived from the same template map and thushave the same audio parameters. As audio blocks 8 may be added to folder9 a by receiving a further pre-recorded audio track 5 from a composer ormusician based on the FANTASY GENRE MIDI FILE TEMPLATE MAP 4, there isno limit to the number of audio blocks 8 which may be stored in thefolder 9 a.

The system 1 further comprises audio block tagging means 14 forassigning to each audio block 8 a unique identifier. For example, anaudio block 8 derived from folder 9 a and in the drums folder 10 a maybe assigned a unique identifier based on combinations of tags accordingto a template map identifier, the unique identifier based on theinstrument part for the audio block, an identifier based on a number forthe pre-recorded audio track, and an identifier for the composer ormusician. Thus, for example, an audio block 8 in the drums folder 10 aof FIG. 5 may be assigned a unique identifier: FT4-D431-JS, whichidentifies the template map FANTASY GENRE MIDI FILE TEMPLATE MAP 4, as“FT4”, the instrument part drums, as “D”, the pre-recorded audio trackreceived as track number “431”, and the composer as John Smith “JS”.Further examples of unique identifiers are also shown in FIG. 11,although it will be understood that any suitable tags may be used touniquely identify each audio block 8 stored.

The system 1 further comprises an interactive user interface means 11enabling users to interact with the system 1 via a computing device 20to generate an audio output file. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 initially, auser inputs user preference data to the user interface means 11 viamenus 21, 22, which provides users with the capability to view andselect from a plurality of options, such as music genre, style and/ormood data and/or other user preference as required or as desired.

As shown in FIG. 6, and by way of example, the user 20 has selected, atstep 23, the music genre “fantasy”, and at step 24, the mood words “midtempo”, “uplifting”, “magical”, “heroic” and “airy”. Based on the userinput an audio block selection means 12 (shown in FIG. 1) is operable,at step 25, to parse all templates for the selected genre, and select,at step 26, the most suitable genre for the user based on furtherrefinement according to the mood word input, which in the instance shownis the FANTASY 4 TEMPLATE.

At step 27, a selection of audio blocks 8 from the folder 9 a in thestorage means 9 corresponding to the FANTASY 4 TEMPLATE is made by theaudio block selection means 12, the selection being made according tothe user preference data, such as music genre, style and/or mood data,received via the user interface means of the system 1. By selectingaudio blocks 8 from the same folder 9 a the audio block selection meansselects audio blocks 5 with the same audio parameters for generating theaudio file at step 28. In this way, the audio blocks 8 which arecombined and used to create an audio file have the same tempo andharmonic map, which ensures the harmonic integrity of the audio filegenerated.

The unique identifiers of the selected audio blocks 8 are compared withrecords in a storage device of unique identifiers for previouslygenerated audio output files, such that if a record of a combination ofthe unique identifiers is located then an audio output file is notgenerated, and if a record of the combination of unique identifiers isnot located then the selected audio blocks are combined to generate anaudio output file. In this way the system 1 prevents the use of the samecombination of audio blocks in the generation of audio output to ensurethat the audio output files generated a sufficiently unique.

The operation of the audio block selection means 12 will be shown by wayof example and with reference to FIGS. 7 to 11, which are schematicsshowing the steps performed by the system 1 for selecting a uniquearrangement of audio blocks 8 for generating audio files according tothe invention.

In the instance shown in FIG. 7, the user has selected the genre“Country” via the user interface and through refinement based on moodwords a suitable country “Template 2” has been selected as being thebest selection for the user. Shown in FIGS. 8 to 10 are the instrumentfolders 30 for “Template 2” and in each folder are audio blocks 8, eachaudio block 8 being referred to as a stem.

As shown in FIG. 8, the audio block selection means 12 has selectedaudio block “Stem 207” from the “Piano folder”, and this selection isshown in FIG. 11 in the column indicated by the reference numeral 40 ashaving the unique identifier “CT2-P207-DW”. The audio block selectionmeans 12 has also selected “Stem 211” from the “Acoustic Guitar” folder,and this selection is shown in FIG. 11 at column 40 as having the uniqueidentifier “CT2-AG211-BK”, and so on. The audio blocks 8 at column 40are combined to generate an audio file, which in the present instance isshown at column 40 as being entitled “Crazy Horse”.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show selections of audio blocks 8, also from instrumentfolders 30 for the same “Template 2” for new audio files entitled “RodeoBill” at column 41, and “Yellow Texas” as column 42. Notable is that theaudio blocks 8 selected for each new audio file 41, 42 comprise a uniquecombination of audio blocks 8, which is indicted by the originalcombination of unique identifiers in each of columns 40, 41, 42. It isfurther notable that the same audio blocks 8 may be used in differentaudio files, but the full combination of audio blocks for each audiofile 40, 41, 42 is unique. For example, the audio block “CT2-B202-FJ” isused for both audio files 40, 42 although the full combination of audioblocks, as shown by the unique identifiers for each column is different.The same audio blocks 8 may thus be used in many different audio files,but it is the aggregation of the audio blocks 8 in an audio file thatrenders the audio file generated unique.

The audio block selection means 12 is also operable to interchange atleast one selected audio block 8 with a previously unselected audioblock 8 according to further user preference data received via the userinterface means 11 of the system 1. The audio block selection means 12comprises a hold function operable to enable a user to retain one ormore audio blocks 8 selected by the audio block selection means 12. Ashuffle function is also provided to enable a user to remove one or moreaudio blocks 8 selected by the audio block selection means 12, andselect an alternative audio block 8 of the same audio parameters fromthe storage means 9. Thus if the user is unsatisfied with an audio filegenerated he or she simply asks for a regeneration. The system 1shuffles the content within each instrument folder 10 within theassociated single template map folder 9 a and the audio block selectionmeans 12 deals a new hand of audio blocks 8 forming another unique audiofile. In addition the user may choose to hold certain performance audioblocks 8, such as piano or guitar and replace the remaining audio blocks8 until a desired musical cue emerges from the collective singletemplate map folder 9 a.

FIG. 12 is screenshot of a user interface means 11 which provides aninteractive graphical display via which a user may operate a holdingmodule 51 to hold certain audio blocks 8 while discarding other audioblocks 8 from the audio output file, and optionally exchange other audioblocks 8 through the use of a shuffle module 52 for alternative or moresuitable audio block selections.

In providing alternative audio block selection options to a user thesystem 1 is operable to ensure that the combination of audio blocks 8 ina resulting audio output file is unique by ensuring that the combinationof unique identifiers for the audio blocks is not in a record of thestorage device 9.

The system 1 further provides audio file recording means, editing meansand mixing means enabling a user full creative control over mix andother parameters to modify as desired the audio file generated by theaudio file generation means. Users may also import other instrumentperformances and/or voice from an external source and incorporate theminto the audio file using the audio file recording means, editing meansand mixing means, which are operable by the user interface means 11.

The system 1 is further operable to enable an audio output filegenerated to be made available for downloading to a computing device.

FIGS. 20a to 20c show an exemplary download process according to theinvention, which comprises steps of: dividing the audio blocks 8combined to form the audio file 40 into audio segments, shown as audiosegments p0 to pn, v0 to vn, and b0 to bn. Each audio segment p0 to pn,v0 to vn, and b0 to bn is assigned a time slot, optionally according tothe sequence location of the audio segment in the audio block 8. In theinstance shown, each audio segment has a duration of two seconds,although it will be understood that the time slot duration for an audiosegment may be configured as required.

Audio segments p0 to pn, v0 to vn, and b0 to bn are then transmittedsuch that audio segments from different audio blocks having the sametime slot are received at a receiving computing device 20 atsubstantially the same time. Thus, as shown in FIG. 20c , and by way ofexample, audio segments p0, v0 and b0 will be transmitted at the sametime, indicated as T0, and then at a subsequent time, indicated as T1,audio segments p1, v1 and b1 will then be transmitted together and soon.

At the receiving computing device 20 audio segments from the same timeslot are then combined to form portions 40 a to 40 n of the audio file40. The audio file portions 40 a to 40 n are then combined to reform theoriginal audio file 40 at the computing device. Audio segments derivedfrom the same time slot may also be shifted to a different time slot asdesired.

The present invention thus also provides a protocol that interleavesaudio segments specified by a common identifier provided as a time slotand enables them to be transmitted over a single data connection ofundetermined bandwidth and latency such that they are received togetherat a client device for simultaneous interpretation or processing.Subsequent audio segments may be fetched over the same or other paralleldata connections. The use of the time slot for each audio segmentenables synchronicity for those audio segments.

The time slots for each audio block may be specified arbitrarily suchthat the sequence by which the audio segments are transmitted does nothave to follow the sequence of audio segments in an audio block. Audioblocks may include a segment to act as marker for a specified time slotwhich allows for audio blocks to be of variable length. Other audiosegments may be dynamically added or removed from an audio block. Anaudio segment may be marked as a terminal segment to indicate that it isthe last audio segment in a transmission. This provides an option toterminate the download of an audio file.

FIG. 13 shows a user interface means 11 which provides an interactivegraphical display via which a user may set the mix levels of allinstrument performances as required or as desired. In addition, a usermay import other software tools to the system 1 so they may be run asthird party plug-ins. Accordingly, unique edits using audio tools bythird party manufacturers are able to be imported into the systeminterface.

The system 1 also provides audio mixing and editing functionality whichallows new audio blocks 8 to be added after the editing of previousaudio blocks 8 and entitles them to the same automatic editing. Thisensures that all added audio blocks 8 will follow the harmonic integrityof the audio file generated. Also provided is a step back memory system,so that a user may return to an older arrangement if required. This isuseful if a user decides he or she preferred an earlier audio filegenerated.

FIG. 14 shows a user interface means 11 implementing the above featurewhich is shown as a selectable “Follow Edit” user interface button. Forexample, if a user cuts the audio output file in three parts and movesthe start portion to the original middle, and the end portion to theoriginal start position and finally the middle portion to the originalstart position then the late introduction of a new unedited stem willnot line up and the harmonic integrity will be lost. However if they nowselect follow edit the system will make all necessary past edit eventsand apply them to the new stem in order to correct the arrangement.

When user is fully satisfied with the audio output file generated theypay a license fee which grants a license under a publishing agreementwith conditions. The final audio file is then downloaded to the usersplatform system in a format specified by the user. FIG. 15 shows a userinterface means 11 implementing the download feature which is shown as aselectable “Download” user interface button. The new and unique audiofile is available to be downloaded as a file by the user.

FIG. 16 is a flow diagram showing the present invention integrated witha back-end accounting application. The systems back end accountingprogram will record all audio block combinations in a audio filecomposition and will, according to the approach described above,restrict the combination from ever been generated again and so willprevent the musical cue being repeated to another user and not create areplica musical cue. However it will allow for the generation of similaror related musical cues in order to give continuity to a certain userproject such as a game or film. Each audio block carries anidentification finger print which traces its origin right back to itsoriginal composer. The author of the musical work are deemed by thesystem to be composers of the respective performance audio blocks usedin the unique musical cue composition and the user as he or she was alsocreatively involved in the composition process through arrangement ofaudio blocks. In addition the back end accounting program will keep anupdated record of all audio block usage and a trace to the composer oforigin identity so that correct and due license payment shares can becalculated and paid. In addition these calculations are made by thesystems back end accounting program.

FIG. 17 is a flow diagram showing the present invention integrated witha computing software application for building a gaming applicationproduct. The present invention provides the user with music genre andsound design menus in order to access and stream appropriate audioblocks for the creative generation and manipulation through destructivemixing and editing, for the creation of unique and original musical cuesor sound design audio events. In addition this will allow the user topre determine audio event settings to allow the further manipulation ofthe audio blocks during game play in real time. So that all sound designand musical events can be affected to cause additional instant originalcomposition generation events both musical and sound design in actualreal time game play, all based on predetermined program values set outin the engine by the user.

FIG. 18 is a flow diagram showing the present invention integrated as aplug-in or add-on for a digital audio workstation. The purpose of theDAW like interface is to provide the user with music genre and sounddesign menus in order to access and stream appropriate audio blocks forthe creative generation and manipulation through destructive mixing andediting tools for the creation of unique and audio files and sounddesign audio tracks.

FIG. 19 is a flow diagram showing the present invention integrated witha social network site to provide a streaming social network siteinterface. For the purpose of website style, the user interface viawhich members can access and generate content to generate anddestructively edit generated original audio files with the sole purposeof adding additional musical and vocal content from an external sourcein order to achieve an original audio file. This original song or audiofile work is held on the systems social network interface and can beshared with other members of that network. The social network site has abillboard chart with the sole purpose of rating and ranking suchoriginal song works publicly to all social network members.

The present invention provides a software application that may beplugged into a host program, such as UNITY or AVID, which are examplesof programs typically used by game developers or film producers.

A music genre or category is selected by the user from a menu and anaudio file offering is automatically generated. The audio file offeringcontains a number of audio blocks or stems of instrument performancesand is then ready for audition in the game. Some or all audio blockcontent may be replaced through a shuffle button system until thedesired content starts to emerge. If, for example, the audio file is notsuitable as an arrangement, but the piano audio block sounds ideal, thenthe user may hold the piano stem. The system Holds the piano stem andregenerates the remaining stems with alternative selections. Thisprocess can be repeated. The piano audio block will remain in placewhile all other audio block elements continue to change until an idealarrangement of the chosen genre cue is achieved. The system allows forfurther editing possibilities such as fx and tools for a final mix.

When it is decided by the developer that the soundtrack works to thesatisfaction of the game, film score, TV commercial or whateverapplication is intended then a licence fee and agreement is set outbetween the system and the developer. This is done on the fly within thesystem. When the license is paid, a stereo file of the music work isavailable for download to the developers system for final placement inthe film, TV program or game. The final audio file is given a registeredtitle by the user and the authors of that music work are deemed to be,the composers of the audio blocks combined in the audio file and theproject developer or user, as they have been creatively involved in thearranged music work. Each audio block carries a unique identifier as aregistration number and it is with these identifiers the softwarerestricts this audio combination or anything close from ever recurringthus deeming the piece of music unique and original to that film or gameproject. The original audio blocks are returned to the collective foruse in future unrelated arrangements.

The present invention integrates into mainstream professional game audiodevelopment platforms in a familiar and frictionless way, such as aplug-in to Unity3D, Final Cut Pro and the like.

The present invention includes wizard-like functions allow a user toquickly search and audition specially-curated audio collections instem/audio block formats. Audio content is optionally delivered via acloud-based library with a database of meta-data to facilitateintelligent search, shuffle etc. The present invention provides a rangeof edit/mix functions similar to those used in typical Digital AudioWorkstations, allowing the user to easily tweak the production infamiliar ways The present invention delivers a rendered audio file tothe user and deliver relevant data to the cloud-based “audio accounting”back end to guarantee the audio file production's uniqueness.

The following describes a use case for the present invention. A user isdoing some game visuals productions in his favourite productionenvironment and wants to do some audio work. The user activates thepresent invention plug-in and makes initial wizard-driven creativechoices based on desired theme, mood, genre etc. The present inventiondelivers a set of audio files into a DAW-style environment. The userauditions various audio block stems. Some work straight away and theseare marked “Hold”. A shuffle is performed to get new audio and/or an“advanced search” to drill down deeply into the available content. Withcontent choices made, the user previews the audio timeline and makesedits accordingly, with cut/paste, move/stretch actions. The useradjusts Mix levels, panning, sound effects and the like, using familiaractions. When finished, the user executes a “Save & Download” action andreceives a rendered audio file to his session/desktop.

The present invention is primarily a user-facing product which deliverscore content/creative functionality and is operable as a softwareapplication executable in a browser, and/or as a software plug-in.Optionally, it is a plug-in to a mainstream game and video productionenvironment. The system optionally comprises one or more of: easy to usedrag & drop interface with familiar paradigms; multiple audio tracks in“stacked” audio waveform display; independent audio controls on each:Level, Mute, Pan, FX etc; wizard-style functionality which allows userto enter/select from available themes, moods, genres etc and quickly getto audio he can hear; a shuffle function allows for rapid comparison ofcreative audio options on a per-track/stem basis; timeline/linearediting tools are provided e.g. Copy/Cut/Paste/Move so the User cantweak the audio against e.g. a video timeline; audio Mixer functionsinclude typical DAW dials, faders etc as well as real-time sound effectson individual tracks/stems and/or on the overall Stereo Mix; and“One-click Render” function allows renders session as flattened audiofile and delivers it as a download/save to the user's computer.

The back end is a cloud-based component which drives contentmanagement/delivery functions, optionally including one or more of:mature, proven third-party cloud infrastructure chosen to aid rapidapplication development, e.g. Amazon S3; high levels of serviceguarantee; automatically scales: go from 10 Users and 100 audio files to1,000 Users and 100,000 audio files automatically and get billedaccordingly; stores audio files uploaded by content creators, along withmeta-data to facilitate the “intelligent” features e.g. Search, Shuffle,“You might also like” etc; the captured/stored audio meta-data andtagging means to allow the system to ensure that each users audio fileset, edits and mix settings are a unique production.

The present invention includes a Content Creator's Utility which allowsthe creators of content to tag and upload audio files to becomeavailable to other users of the system.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of exampleonly and it should be appreciate that additions and/or modifications maybe made thereto without departing from the scope thereof as defined inthe appended claims.

1. A computer implemented method for generating an audio output file,the method including using one or more processors and a memory toperform steps of: receiving a plurality of audio tracks, wherein eachaudio track in the plurality of audio tracks is created according to oneor more audio parameters; for each audio track in the plurality of audiotracks: separating said each audio track into at least one selectableaudio block, wherein the selectable audio block includes audio contentfrom a musical instrument involved in creating said each audio track;assigning a unique identifier to each selectable audio block; selectinga plurality of audio blocks using unique identifiers of the plurality ofaudio blocks, and generating the audio output file by combining theplurality of audio blocks.
 2. The method as claimed in claim 1,including the step of: storing a record of the combination of uniqueidentifiers for the selected audio blocks of the audio output filegenerated in a storage device.
 3. The method as claimed in claim 1, inwhich each audio block of the plurality of audio tracks comprises audiocontent from a single musical instrument.
 4. The method as claimed inclaim 1, wherein selecting the plurality of audio blocks comprisesselecting audio blocks with the same audio parameters for use ingenerating the audio output file, wherein each audio block in theplurality of audio blocks has audio parameters according to the audiotrack from which the audio block is separated.
 5. The method as claimedin claim 1, including the step of: storing the plurality of audio blocksin a storage device according to one of: one or more audio parameters ofthe plurality of audio blocks or musical instrument.
 6. The method asclaimed in claim 1, wherein selecting the plurality of audio blockscomprises selecting audio blocks for the audio output file according touser preference data including one or more of: music genre, music style,or mood data.
 7. The method as claimed in claim 1, including the stepof: operating a hold module to retain one or more audio blocks selectedby a audio block selection means and to interchange at least one audioblock selected by the audio block selection means with a previouslyunselected audio block according to user preference data.
 8. The methodas claimed in claim 1, including the step of: operating a shuffle moduleto automatically remove, from the audio output file, one or more audioblocks selected by the audio block selection means and to incorporate,into the audio output file, an audio block or audio blocks from astorage device having the same audio parameters as the removed one ormore audio block blocks.
 9. The method as claimed in claim 1, includingthe step of: operating an audio editing and mixing module to modify,refine, adjust, vary and/or change audio characteristics of the audiooutput file.
 10. The method as claimed in claim 1, including the stepof: operating an audio editing and mixing module to modify, refine,adjust, vary and/or change audio characteristics of an audio block inthe audio output file.
 11. The method as claimed in claim 1, includingthe step of: operating an audio editing and mixing module to adjusttempo and/or shift a harmonic map of an audio track of the plurality ofaudio tracks.
 12. The method as claimed in claim 1, including the stepof: importing other instrument performances and/or voice from anexternal source for incorporation into the audio output file.
 13. Themethod as claimed in claim 1, including the step of: operating an audiosynchronisation module to synchronise the audio output file with a videofile, a still image file, and/or a text file.
 14. The method as claimedin claim 1, including the step of: storing the audio output file in astorage device for retrieval as an audio track for generation ofadditional audio output files.
 15. The method as claimed in claim 1,including the step of: linking a plurality of storage devices to providean extended storage library of audio tracks and audio output files forcreating audio blocks.
 16. The method as claimed in claim 1, includingtransmitting the audio output file to a computing device according tosteps of: separating the plurality of audio blocks of the audio outputfile into a plurality of audio block segments, wherein each audio blocksegment in the plurality of audio block segments is associated with atime slot such that audio block segments from the same audio block havea different time slot; transmitting audio block segments having sametime slot together such that audio block segments having the same timeslot are received at the computing device at substantially the sametime, and combining, at the computing device, audio block segmentshaving the same time slot to form at least a portion of the audio outputfile, wherein combining the audio block segments having the same timeslot comprises: combining a first plurality of audio block segmentshaving a first time slot to form a first portion of the audio outputfile, combining a second plurality of audio block segments having asecond time slot to form a second portion of the audio output file; andcombining the first and second audio file portions to form the audiooutput file at the computing device.
 17. The method as claimed in claim1, including the step of: storing the plurality of audio blocks as oneor more MIDI files.
 18. The method as claimed in claim 1, in which theaudio output file is a MIDI file.
 19. A computer implemented system forgenerating an audio output file, the system including: means forreceiving a plurality of audio tracks, wherein each audio track in theplurality of audio tracks is created according to one or more audioparameters; for each audio track in the plurality of audio tracks: meansfor separating said each audio track into at least one selectable audioblock, wherein the selectable audio block includes audio content from amusical instrument involved in creating said each audio track; means forassigning a unique identifier to each selectable audio block; means forselecting a plurality of audio blocks using unique identifiers of theplurality of audio blocks, and means for generating the audio outputfile by combining the plurality of audio blocks.
 20. A non-transitorymachine-readable medium including instructions that, when executed byone or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform thesteps according to claim 1.